This sixth straight World Cup qualifying victory was simply confirmation that the only way is up for England.

They are heading towards South Africa as the top European goal-scorers after making it 20 in their first six games.

There should be another hatful at Wembley on Wednesday night against Andorra. Capello’s side is definitely taking shape.

“There is a good balance of professionalism, experience, youth and quality,” said David Beckham, who came on in the second half for his 111th cap.

“We expected to win and I liked the fact that the team were patient.”

There are, of course, still issues for Capello to iron out on the way to the World Cup. Robert Green wasn’t tested on his full debut and who plays in goal in South Africa? David James, Green, Ben Foster?

Right-back is a problem. Glen Johnson didn’t look particularly comfortable, especially against the quickest player on the pitch, Kaz-akhstan’s Tanat Nusserbayer.

Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney need games together, while England must somehow keep Emile Heskey fit for another year.

And Kazakhstan are no Spain, Holland, France, Brazil, Germany or other giants who will soon stand in England’s way.

There was just one scare from Kaz-akhstan and that came after only 10 seconds when Johnson allowed Nusserbayer to get in behind him.

The cross caused confusion and Sergey Ostapenko should have done better before captain John Terry hacked it away.

Ostapenko did have a headed goal disallowed before limping off but, after that, it was all so easy for England.

You knew a goal was coming. The only surprise was it took 35 minutes for England to find a way through.

Gareth Barry, who had been booked after 13 minutes for a foul on Zhambyl Kukeyer and misses Andorra on Wednesday, arrived at the far post

following a short corner on the left. Amazingly, it was Barry’s first compet-itive goal for his country and a good way to celebrate his move from Aston Villa to Manchester City.

Barry brings balance and poise to this emerging England side and Wembley will be the first time under Capello he hasn’t started. That’s how highly the coach rates him.

Who replaces him against Andorra will be interesting. Michael Carrick is injured and not in the squad so Beckham could well start.

“Anything is possible,” says Capello. “Let me have a look in training.”

The game was over as a contest, if it ever was one, when Heskey made it 2-0.

If it was Barry’s first competitive goal, it was Heskey’s first for seven years! It was also two in two games for Heskey, who scored in the friendly with Slovakia in March.

A Gerrard cross was deflected into a dipping shot, goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin could only palm it down and there was Heskey tucking it in.

The Villa striker has become a popular figure with team-mates and fans. You just wonder what former bosses were thinking, leaving this key figure in Capello’s side out for so long.

Capello replaced Theo Walcott with Shaun Wright-Phillips at half-time and a Gerrard shot from 15 yards almost made it 3-0. England were in second gear for the remainder of the game.

After 73 minutes England scored again and the pace of Wright-Phillips and Johnson was too much for the home defenders.

It was Johnson who got on the end of the one-two move and his cross from the right was met by Wayne Rooney’s knee. The ball looked over the line when Mokin palmed it away and, just to make sure, Rooney’s acrobatic overhead kick planted the ball back deep into the Kazakhstan net.

It was Rooney’s sixth goal in this qualifying campaign and he only needs three more to break Tommy Taylor’s 1958 record. Rooney is so typical of this England side under Capello – hard working, effective and with a cutting edge. An England side without the Manchester United forward is unthinkable.

The opposition was easy but you can only beat what is in front of you.

The scoring was completed when clumsy defending by Renat Abdulin hauled down Heskey and Frank Lampard thumped home the penalty.

It could have been more. You got the impression that, had Capello demanded a fifth, they would have got it.

There were autographs on the pitch for ball boys, players had their photographs taken and Capello smiled all the way to the press conference.

This is a happy, confident England team who have almost made it to South Africa. It is what happens next that is important. Not on Wednesday, but next season and then at the World Cup.

Just how high can they climb that mountain. England are breathing easily yet it is still a long way to the top.